A near IR photosensitizer based on self-assembled CdSe quantum dot-aza-BODIPY conjugate coated with poly(ethylene glycol) and folic acid for concurrent fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapy

An effective photosensitizer for the fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapy of tumour cells has been developed on the basis of a self-assembled CdSe quantum dot-thiophene-substituted aza-BODIPY conjugate coated with poly(ethylene glycol) and folic acid via Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET).